 RALEIGH, N.C. – The Icepack dominated the annual Governor’s Cup matchup from start to finish, scoring seven goals as goaltender Ethan Roberts posted his first shutout of the season.
BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS Governor Josh Stein performed the ceremonial puck drop alongside Mr. and Ms. Wuf. The Lenovo Center was packed with fans from both schools, generating immense energy throughout the night. This game marked the third meeting between NC State and UNC this season, with each team entering the matchup with one win. The Icepack controlled the first period, scoring three goals in the final five minutes to seize momentum heading into intermission. Holden Koufman slipped past UNC’s goaltender to score the opening goal for the second straight year. Joey Gouveia added an unassisted goal with two minutes left, and a minute later, Mason Payne tallied his second of the season. NC State’s Jack Ammons extended the lead in the second, scoring off assists from Reece Johnson and Andrew Throndson, the second assist of the night for both. The goal triggered a goaltender change for the Tar Heels. The period also featured two sets of matching penalties as tempers flared as the deficit deepened. Alternate captain Nick Librizzi scored the Icepack’s fifth unanswered goal of the night with help from Michael Ranaldi and Austin Finch. The Icepack added two more goals in the closing minutes of the third period. Throndson buried a shot from the blue line for his third point of the night, and Gouveia scored the final goal off a pass from Zach Herman. Despite scoring seven goals, NC State generated several additional high-quality chances through efficient playmaking and strong chemistry, fueled by an energized home crowd. Johnson returned from injury and contributed two assists. Roberts earned the first star of the night for his shutout performance, with Gouveia named second star and Throndson third. With the win, the Icepack claimed the season series against UNC and will keep the Governor’s Cup in Raleigh. NC closes the semester 13-5-1, with one more off-record game against the Carolina Hurricanes’ alumni before heading home for winter break. Tickets for the Canes Alumni and Icepack rematch can be found here.
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 RALEIGH, N.C. – What began as a one-off competition at PNC Arena between the two local rivals has grown into an annual event that draws the largest crowd of each team’s season. The Governor’s Cup, rebranded from the original Backyard Brawl, has delivered eight years of physical play and the excitement of competing on big-league ice. NC State leads the all-time series 6-2 and will look to keep the Cup in Raleigh in the annual matchup on Nov. 23.
2016-17
The first Backyard Brawl was held at PNC Arena in 2017 and drew 6,100 fans, the largest crowd for a college hockey game in North Carolina at the time. UNC scored first in the opening period, but NC State tied it in the second. A close chance for another UNC goal in the third period bounced off the crossbar. Sam Banasiewicz scored twice, including the game-winner, as NC State held on to win the inaugural matchup. 2017-18
The second Backyard Brawl kept the Governor’s Cup in Raleigh with a 5-3 win. The victory also secured NC State a spot in the ACCHL tournament. The matchup was the chippiest in the rivalry – a distinction it still holds today – and was heavy on penalties. Goalie Joey Hall had “GTHC” written on his stick for motivation. NC State scored first in the opening period before UNC answered on the power play and added another to take the lead. Co-captain Luis Gimenez tied the game in the second. The Icepack later pulled ahead 4-2, a run that included a short-handed goal. UNC added one more in the third, but a late hit on Hall led to a fired-up finish. 2018-19
The Icepack finished the semester undefeated at 18-0 and recognized their seniors – including current NC State assistant coach Eric Mura – before the game. Hall recorded a shutout. NC State scored first, Banasiewicz added a second goal off a face-off feed and Alex Robinson made it 3-0. The Icepack added two more in the third period to seal the win. 2019-20
NC State dominated the first period, scoring five unanswered goals before UNC recorded its first goal. The Icepack quickly responded to the lone UNC goal, sending the game into the first intermission with a 6-1 lead. UNC attempted to mount a comeback in the third period but was unable to close the gap. Zack Robinson added a late power-play goal to secure the 8-6 win
UNC scored first in the Carolina Classic, but NC State answered quickly and pulled ahead 4-1 in the opening period. The Icepack added five more goals across the second and third periods to finish with nine. Current Icepack equipment manager Jess Tart was in the net and held UNC to three goals. This season marked the first and only time that the Icepack played in both the annual Governor’s Cup and the branded Backyard Brawl as separate events. 2021-22
This season brought the official rebranding of the Backyard Brawl into the Governor’s Cup. The Icepack scored first on the power play and added another goal in the second period. UNC scored off a turnover and added a quick second-period goal, but NC State kept control and closed out the game with a strong third period, including back-to-back goals from Zack Robinson. 2022-23
2023-24
The Tar Heels opened the scoring, but current alternate Joey Gouveia tied the game later in the first period. UNC regained the lead in the second, though Nick Librizzi responded quickly off assists from Holden Koufman and Nick Shook. Shook re-tied the game in the third, but UNC scored back-to-back, one of those an empty-netter, to finish 5-3. 2024-25
Koufman opened the scoring for NC State, and Herman recorded a second goal. UNC halved the Icepack’s lead in the second period, but Daniel Prazma and Erik Dahlin sealed the win with empty-net goals in the final two minutes. Goalie Isaac Tawyer made several saves to earn his 1-1 GovCup record and help bring the Cup back to Raleigh after a two-year stint in Chapel Hill. From its beginnings as a single-game rivalry, the series has grown into the highly anticipated Governor’s Cup, highlighting the dynamic and passionate rivalry between NC State and UNC.  RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State fell short in its matchup against George Mason on Men’s Health Night at Invisalign Arena.
SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS NC State opened strong, generating quality shot opportunities and setting up good plays, but couldn’t find the net. The game seemed set to head into the first intermission scoreless until George Mason converted a breakaway with 2.6 seconds left in the period. The first penalties of the night came in the second period, giving both teams power-play opportunities and a stretch of 4-on-4 play. Freshman Jack Ammons returned to the lineup tonight and scored the Icepack’s lone goal during 4-on-4 play with five minutes remaining in the second. Holden Koufman and Nick Librizzi assisted on the goal, tying the game heading into the second intermission. NC State struggled to sustain its level of play in the third period, giving up two even-strength goals to George Mason. The Icepack will face UNC for the third time this season in Sunday’s annual Governor’s Cup at Lenovo Center, where they will look to secure a second win over the Tar Heels.  RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State is set for a second straight weekend of specialty games following the conclusion of last weekend’s series against Alabama.
On Friday night, the Icepack will recognize men’s health in partnership with the Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation. On Sunday, NC State will play a rematch against UNC in the annual Roy Cooper Governor’s Cup. Icepack veteran Andrew Throndson says having a game dedicated to men’s health is meaningful. “It means a lot,” Throndson said. “It’s supporting a good cause and helping men speak out for their health.” Although Sunday’s game is a rematch of the Triangle rivalry and will be played on the Carolina Hurricanes’ ice at the Lenovo Center, Throndson says the Icepack is not overlooking its first opponent, George Mason. “We can’t look too far ahead,” he said. “We have to play George Mason first, even though we’re definitely looking forward to playing UNC.” George Mason enters the weekend 11-6. The only common opponent the Patriots and the Icepack have played is West Virginia, with both teams sweeping a two-game series against the Mountaineers. Despite a two-game losing streak, the Patriots remain evenly matched with NC State. Sunday’s game against UNC will be played at Lenovo Center on the same ice used by the Hurricanes. Throndson said sticking to their structure will be key. “We need to play simpler and stick to our systems,” he said. “We just need to play our hockey.” NC State is 5-2 against the Tar Heels in the annual competition. “It was a lot of fun, super exciting,” Throndson said about playing GovCup in the past. “It’s definitely nice having all the fans there, and we’re just excited to play in front of them again.” Friday’s game against George Mason will be held at Invisalign Arena with an 8:30 p.m. puck drop. Students who attend will receive free tickets to Sunday’s Governor’s Cup. Sunday’s matchup at the Lenovo Center is scheduled for 5 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.  CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Icepack fell short Saturday in their matchup against Alabama at Truist Field.
Warm temperatures left the ice soft and slippery throughout the game, causing players to lose footing and kick up water. Alabama opened the scoring after the puck slid oddly between Isaac Tawyer’s pads. Joey Gouveia tied it for NC State off assists from captain Zach Herman and Brandon Raleigh. The Icepack earned four power plays in the second period, and Herman converted one of them, assisted by Gouveia and Daniel Prazma, to give NC State the lead. Thirteen seconds later, Alabama answered to send the teams into the second intermission tied. The third period remained even until Alabama scored late to retake the lead. NC State pulled Taywer for an extra attacker with 1:30 left in regulation, but couldn’t convert, and Alabama added an empty-net goal to seal the win. Despite the loss in the 704 Outdoor Face Off, NC State won the three other meetings with Alabama over the past two weeks. |
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